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blogging101, Journaling, Reflections, Uncategorized, Writers' Well (wordsthatserve), Writing 101, Writing Prompts
I didn’t get a chance to tackle Harula’s prompt from Wednesday Writer’s Well yesterday, so I’m giving it a go this morning. Harula says (this is sort of like Simon Says! Giggle!):
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Writing Prompt: Let it Go
Each week, I share one of the writing prompts used the previous Friday in my weekly workshop, along with an example of what was written in response. Today’s prompt (allow just 3 to 5 mins in total) is quite simply to write whatever comes in response to this phrase…Let it Go
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The first thing that came to my mind when I read this prompt was, if I COULD let go of anything I think it would be expectations. Not just expectations about certain things (you know how you always build special events up in your mind and then they never quite live up to your imagination), but expectations PERIOD!
How less stressful would life be if we didn’t have to labor under the ideas of how we think things ought to turn out? How much easier would life seem if we could just learn to roll with the punches and not be unpleasantly surprised about life happenings? It certainly wouldn’t keep the highs from being high, in fact, I’d think they’d be even more so. But just maybe it would make the lows not quite as low.
The second thing that came to my mind was, can a person actually live WITHOUT expectations? Aren’t expectations one of the things that pull us into the future? The act of looking forward to what comes next? So what would happen if we DIDN’T have anything to look forward to? Life would seem really dull, and maybe I’d be asking myself, what’s the point anyway? Is this all there is?
Still, I think I’d like to try to live by letting go of expectations for a few days just to see what that feels like…
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Picture Source: SteveGibson – DeviantArt
Impromptu Promptlings 
That is exactly what grandchildren do to/for me. I love having them; they are big enough to do most things for themselves, yet when they go, I shot. Expectations? I find them to be both motivating and a bit stressful, but I wouldn’t like life without them. Thanks for the new thought.
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Here’s hoping I can learn that lesson quickly since our four grandkiddos have moved back to Utah!
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I heard someone once who advised to live with expectancy, but without expectation. The first is hope released from the expectation of certain outcomes or of how they come about. Slightly different states of mind.
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That’s a very fine distinction, isn’t it… Hm… That does bear some pondering. 🙂
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Sometimes things stay with you, I heard that back in 1991, I remember who said it, to whom and where. I knew there’d be a time I’d make use of it and it’d make sense to me!
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I hear ya. Defining moments seem to be a theme today. This is the third time this morning I’ve referred to that.
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Totally agree. I think, for the most part, expectations are unhelpful and exhausting. I think it would be hard to get rid of them completely, but I think loosening them a bit might make for a much lighter, more playful life that enjoys and welcomes more surprises. Wonderfully thought provoking and profound response to a very small, simple, three word prompt! Kudos! 🙂 Blessings, Harula x
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Thanks, hon. It was an interesting prompt. The 3-minute exercises often surprise me! 😀
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I found this post thought-provoking.
Maybe the answer is to let go of the expectations we have of others. One of the things we focus on in my support group, is never expecting our loved ones to get better or worse, but instead, simply be aware that they may be making improvements that we cannot see.
At the same time, we need to continue to have faith in our own future lives. Without that, we would never strive for better things.
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Hm… Perhaps that’s why I just sit a lot?
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I think we have to face the fact that we’re not as young as we used to be. Quiet contemplation is so much less tiring than climbing mountains (not that I ever did, except for one time, and that was an easy one) 😉
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BOY am I not as young as I used to be! Spent the day with Stef and the grandkiddos yesterday (four of them under 7) and I was done in last night. And I really didn’t do anything physical. I came to the conclusion I have gotten very old mentally and emotionally, too.
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